<B> Tech Talk</B>
By Mary Ann McNulty, Technology Editor
<B>Captura Promotes Vetras To President</B>
Expense software vendor Captura Software Inc., Bothell, Wash., began the new year by promoting its chief operating officer, Dan Vetras, to president. Company founder Dana Bruttig formerly held that position, as well as the CEO title she retains. Vetras has worked in the software industry for more than 17 years and joined Captura last May. Previously, he served as vice president of sales for IntraNetics Inc. and worked for IBM, Lotus and Digital Equipment Corp.
<a name="2"><B>GDS Fees Rise</B>
The new year brought with it another round of fee increases for airlines distributing their products through Amadeus, Sabre and Worldspan. Galileo is expected to announce its new pricing later this week. Amadeus increased its prices about 5.2 percent as of Jan. 1. Sabre's price hikes, averaging 2.9 percent, will begin Feb. 1 for all world regions except for Asia/South Pacific, where pricing remains the same. Basic booking request fees will rise 5 or 6 cents around the world, with North American costs rising to $1.82, up from $1.77. In North America, full availability will rise to $2.92, up from $2.83, while the cancellation fee will rise by 1 cent to 13 cents. Worldspan's price hikes will average 3.5 percent, effective Feb. 1. U.S. transactions will cost $1.45 to $1.70 each, depending on connectivity level, while passive segments will cost $1.86 each. Waitlisting will cost 58 cents and cancellations will cost 31 cents.
<a name="3"><B>Surge Buys Orbit Network</B>
In a move closely watched by e-commerce travel industry executives, electronics components maker Surge Components Inc., Deer Park, N.Y., signed a letter of intent to buy travel distribution provider Orbit Network Inc., Novato, Calif. Last November, Orbit and British Airways subsidiary Travel Automation Services Ltd. announced plans for a joint venture in which Orbit would provide content and technology for a major European Commission-based project named Trip. When it debuts midyear, Trip is expected to give travel agents throughout Europe the ability to browse and purchase travel products via the Internet.
<a name="4"><B>On The Go Promotes Grunzweig</B>
On The Go Software, publisher of the Quicken ExpensAble expense reporting software, named Kenneth Grunzweig its new CEO and Kim Wesselman its vice president of marketing. Grunzweig joined On The Go from Virtual Vineyards, an Internet retailer. At one time, he served as president and CEO of TravelNet and had worked for Aldus Corp. and Lotus Development Corp. Wesselman previously worked for ConsenSys Software, Informix Software and Mentor Graphics.
<a name="5"><B>Amadeus Gets ISO 9002 Certified</B>
Amadeus has become the first global distribution system to earn ISO 9002 certification for the best practices it put in place for product and service delivery. The Madrid-based GDS began working on the certification in late 1997. To meet the ISO standards, Amadeus developed a structured framework for managing processes, people and information and follow up, said Richard Edwards, director of quality. The system "includes clear specifications and standards for performance, documented controls for processes and an audit system to verify that continuous improvement takes place," said an Amadeus spokesman. More than 150 people worked on the effort, and more are expected to join in as Amadeus strives to earn ISO 9002 certification in other areas.